Stephen Bennett: Hunt for fugitive Liverpool drug dealer

Version 0 of 1.

Police are searching for a major Liverpool drug dealer who failed to turn up in court to be sentenced as part of a multi-million pound plot.

Stephen Bennett, 33, from Kirkdale, was part of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin across northern England and North Wales.

Eleven people linked to the plot were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday.

Bennett failed to attend court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Det Supt Jason Hudson, head of operations for for Titan, the regional crime unit that uncovered the plot, said Bennett made a "big mistake".

"He may have taken his chance and thought he'd try to keep away for Christmas.

"We don't want drug dealers on the streets for Christmas and it's very important that we catch Stephen Bennett as soon as possible."

Merseyside Police said Bennett is linked to a wider conspiracy to supply of drugs with a street value of £3m between July 2013 and September 2014.

He was convicted of conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and is yet to be sentenced.